Hiroshima citizens mark atomic bombing

On August 6, the 56th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the
Peace Memorial Ceremony was held by the city at the Peace Memorial Park with
about 50,000 citizens, including many hibakusha (A-bomb survivors)
attending.

During the past year, 4,757 hibakusha died, whose names were stored under
the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, bringing the total number of hibakusha
who passed away in the city to 221,893.

A message from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was read.

Representatives of Hiroshima headquarters of the General Association of
Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun) and the Korean Residents Union in
Japan jointly offered flowers.

At 8:15 a.m., the Peace Bell was rung, and people at the ceremony grounds
paid silent tribute to A-bomb victims, and Hiroshima Mayor Akiba Tadatoshi
as the ceremony's sponsor delivered the Peace Declaration.

The declaration says, "On the first August sixth of the new century, we,
the citizens of Hiroshima, living witnesses to 'the century of war,' hereby
declare that we will do everything in our power to make the twenty-first
century one of peace and humanity, free from nuclear weapons."

On behalf of the Japanese Communist Party, Ogata Yasuo and Inoue Miyo,
House of Councilors members, and Nakabayashi Yoshiko, House of
Representatives member, attended the ceremony.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro also attended the ceremony. In his
speech he said that he will make efforts for the elimination of nuclear
weapons, but he stated at the same day press conference that he supports the
U.S. policy of scrapping the CTBT. His words sounded empty, said Akahata on
August 7. After the ceremony, JCP Dietmembers visited hibakusha and held
talks. (end)

2001 Peace Declaration by Hiroshima Mayor Akiba Tadatoshi
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/peacesite/English/State3/3-2/3-2-81subE.html

Commitment to Peace from children
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/peacesite/English/State2/3-9/3-9-41E.html

Message of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan
http://www.un.org/News/ossg/sg/statements.html